Agitator for washing machines



Feb.13,194o. 1.,@.KNAPP am. 2,189,862

AGITATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed OGl'.. 1l', 1955 Patented Feb. 13, 1940 AGITATOR FOR WASHING MACHINES Leland G. Knapp, Chicago, and Thomas V. Parke, Glen Ellyn, Ill., assignors to Montgomery Ward & Co., Incorporated, Chicago, Ili., a corporation of Illinois Application October 11, 1935,y Serial No. 44,482

4 Claims.

The present invention has to do with agitators for washing machines designed for the cleansing of clothes and like articles, and is directed to the improvement of the construction of agitator dis- 5 closed in and covered by Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,946,535, dated February 13, 1934,4 granted on the application of Leland G. Knapp. The agitator of the patent referred to includes 0 a plurality of radial vanes 'of deflned contour or configuration and serves admirably for eiecting the cleansing of soiled fabrics. In those tubs, however, that are of relatively narrow diameter,

so that the top of the agitator is submerged toA v a considerable extent beneath the water line, it

has been found that' the clothes or other articles being cleansed will mass or ball at the agitator top and remain thereon. yThe clothes, therefore, are removed from the direct zone of agitation o and are not subject to the action of the vanes as the latter move back and forth in the gyratory movement of the agitator.

The main and primary object of the present invention is the provision of means by which the massing or balling ofthe clothes at the top vof the agitator is prevented and the clothes main-f tained in the zone of action of the agitator vanes to be acted thereon by the vanes.

A further object of the invention is to provide l an improved agitator the operation of which materially changes the action of the water currents that is characteristic of the operation of the agitator of the patent aforesaid, with a resultant I improvement in the washing action.

Other objects and'advantages will appear as the nature of the improvements is better understood, the invention consisting substantially inV the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the appended claims. Y

l While the form of the inventionherein shown and described is bellevedto be a preferred embodlment thereof, and delineates` its practical application, it is to be understood that the same is to be considered from the illustrative standpoint and not as imposing restriction or limitation on the invention.

In the drawing: M Fig. l is a vertical transverse sectional view yof a washing machine agitator constructed in accordance with the present invention and illustrated in its application to the tub of a machine; 55 Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is afragmentary detail elevation of the lower end of the agitator.

Referring in detail to the accompanying drawing, the numeral I0 designates the tub of a washing machine which is designed for cleansing b clothes and like articles. It is provided at the f center of'its bottom Il with a shaft bearing lzy through which adriving shaft I3 projects, the bottom II beingsuitably perforated for positioning the shaft bearing `I2 therein. The up 1u per end of the shaft I2 terminates in a tapered splined head I 4 by which driving connection is afforded-between the agitator and the shaft Il; A The bottom II has at its central portion an inclined draining area I5. 15 The-parts thus far described form no part oi the present invention and are referred to only for a better understanding of the application 4of the hereindescribed 'agitator to the tub of the washing machine.

The agitator includes a relatively low base I8 which is circular' in form, the top of said base being flat and horizontal. The base I6 includes an annular depending flange I1 at the edge of the attened, top of the base, and this flange is of such width that its free lower edge will lie close to the inclined draining area I6 of the bottom II. This prevents the articles being cleansed from passing between the inclined area I5 and the lower edge of the flange I1 and entering thespace within the base I6.

At appropriate points at the interior of the base I8 a series of radially extending strengthening ribs Il is provided, these ribs being positioned in suitably spaced relation, preferably. equi-distant, and thereby reinforcing the base II. The ribs II extend from the ange I1 lnwardly towards the center of the base, but their -inner ends terminate short of the actual center of the base. o The flange I1 has a plurality of openings I9 formed therein in suitably spaced relation, which openings permit the water of the tub to pass into and out of the interior of the base, and

thereby serve to keep the interior of the base Iree fromthe accumulation of dirt, soap particles and other deposits that arise incidental toy the washing of soiled fabrics. g

At the center of the base IO is located a vertically disposed 'supporting standard 2l,` which w standard is tubular, `and thereby provides a sleeve the lower end of the bore of whldi is in communication with the interior of the base I8. At

the point of joinder of the lower end of the supporting standard 20 with the base It the metal u of which the base and the standard are formed is massed in stepped formation, as at 2|, so as to strengthen the lower endof the standard 2B at this point. The lower end of the bore of the standard 20 is providedwith a tapered mouth, and this mouth is splined so that it may receive the splined head It of the drive shaft I3 in order to operatively connect the agitator with the drive shaft for operation-of the agitator by the shaft.

That the agitator may be held in xed engagel ment with the splined head i@ as described, an

tioning the widest 50 of the base I6 so as to present elongated fastening screw 22 is employed. The lower threaded end of this screw engages a threaded opening in the upper end of the splined head I4, the head of the screw vbeing seated against the tapered upper end of the bore of the standard 2B, which engagement binds the agitator into the operative relation with the splined head ifi referred to.

It will be understood that the movement of the drive shaft `i3 is an oscillatory movement so as to impart to the agitator a similar or gyratory movement, in the manner that is characteristic of the present day gyratory washing machines.

Associated with the supporting standard 20, and formed integral therewith, as well as with the base I6, is a plurality of radially-extending vanes 23. The lower ends of the vanes 23 extend outwardly from the standard 20 to the peripheral edge of the flat top of the base IB. This lateral extension of the base of the vanes lls the space between the supporting standard 20 and the edge a relatively wide surface to the water for agitating the latter as the vanes move back and forth under the oscillatory movement of the drive shaft i3. y

The outer edge of each of the vanes 23, commencing with the top surface of the base I 8, is curved inwardly, as at 2d, and then curves outwardly and upwardly, as at 25, to a point 26, and at this point each of the vanes is of its widest radial dimension. It will be observed also that this point ofwidest radial dimension is relatively high with respect to the total vertical dimension of the vane, and said point of widest radial di-l mension likewise is considerably above the medial point between the upper and lower extremities of the supporting standard 2G. The effect of posiradial dimension of the vanes at the point indicated is to eiect throw of the water outwardly from the vanes at a point that is well above the bottom of the tub, and likewise well above the iiat top of the base I6 and into the zone of the direct washing action oi' the agitator on the fabrics being cleansed.

From the point 2d the edge of each of the vanes 23 is curved slightly upwardly and merges into an inwardly and upwardly inclined top 21, thus completing the outline or conguration of the vane.

The structure of the vanes 23 constituted as above described affords an exceedingly broad Surface of contact for the water in the movement of the agitator, and this results in a high degree of turbulence in the water so as to force the latter into contact with and through the articles being cleansed.

As previously stated, it is one oi the objects of the present invention to provide an agitator the operation of which materially changes the action of the water. currents characteristic of the operation of the agitator of the Knapp Patent No. 1,946,535 to which reference has been made. In the action of vanes 23 the degree of agitation or turbulence of the water of the tub adjacent the surface level thereof is very high, and the articles being cleansed have a tendency to rise and to be removed from the zone of the direct action of the vanes 23. To counteract this high degree of turbulence and the tendency of the articles to rise, the hereindescribed agitator is provided with a plurality of supplemental vanes 28 which are formed integral with the vanes 23 and are positioned at the top of these vanes. The supplemental vanes 28, considered from the standpoint of their greatest radial dimension, are considerably less in width than the vanes 23 considered from the standpoint of their greatest radial dimension. The contour or con-figuration of the supplemental vanes 28 follows generally the contour or conguratlon of the vanes 23. Commencing with the top edges 21 of the vanes 23 the lower ends of the/free edges of the vanes 28 are curved inwardly, as at 29. and then curve outwardly and upwardly to a point 36, at which point each of the supplemental vanes 28 is of its widest radial dimension. From this point the top edge of each of the vanes 28 inclines to the end of the supporting standard 20 where it terminates and merges into that end of the standard 2Q.

In the action of the supplemental vanes 28 the water is thrown outwardly, and the creation of these outwardly flowing currents has the effect to counteract the turbulence of the water at the surface level of the latter. In so counteracting this turbulence the tendency of the articles being cleansed to rise upwardly from the zone of the direct action of the vanes 23 likewise is counteracted, and this results in holding the articles being cleansed at a point to be most eectively acted on by the vanes 23.

The vanes 23 are perforated, as at 3l, to provide a plurality of openings therein to permit passage of the water in the back and forth movement of the vanes. This permits the vanes to move in the water under less power than if the vanes were wholly imperforate. At the same time as the water passes through these openings the effect of its cleansing action on the articles and penetration of the articles is enhanced.

The top of the hase I8 is also provided with a plurality of perforations 32 to permit entrance and circulation of the water through the top of the base and within the interior of the latter. In cooperation with the openings i8 in the guard fiange I1 it will be apparent that such circulation is easily maintained.

By referring to Fig. 2 it will be observed that at the points `where the vanes join with the supporting standard 20 the adjacent surfaces of the vanes merge into each other on curved lines. This is eiected by llets 33 of the metal being massed at these points. This not only strengthens the points of connection of the vanes with the supporting standard. but it veliminates sharp angles between the vanes and gives a smooth surface to the metal at the points indicated. The llets 33 extend throughout the length of the vanes 23 and also the vanes 28.

In the operation of the hereindescribed agitator the throw of each of the vanes, in each direction of its movement, is approximately 180. Obviously, the greater radial dimension of the vanes 23 results in a high degree of turbulency in the water and eiects the cleansing of the articles, the latter being moved backwardly and forwardly as the vanes move backwardly and forwardly. As the currents rise upwardly towards the surface level of the water the action of the supplemental vanes 28. in their throw of the water outaisasa wardly, counteracts such rising currents, and the tendency of the articles being cleansed to rise is counteracted by the action of the supplemental vanes 28, thus maintaining the articles in the zone of the direct action of the vanes 23 so as to be effectually washed. l

The supplemental vanes28, in their superposed relation to the vanes 23, serve also to prevent massing or balling of the articles at the top of the vanes 23, so that the agitator is free to operate in its path of movement, and is not impeded by the articles the agitator at its upper end.

By referring'to Fig. 2 it will be noted that the strengthening ribs I8 are disposed at the interior of the base I6 at points which are opposite to the spaces between the vanes 23 at the exterior of the base. Thisfacilitates the manufacture of the base and its vanes, and also distributes the reinforcing .effect of the ribs I8 at points within the interior of the' base so as to obtain the effect of that reinforcement between the points of connection of the'vanes 23 with the base at the outside of thelatter. n

The hereindescribed agitator preferably is formed of aluminum, but any other material may be used capable of resisting the action of the washing mixtures commonly employed in these machines.

We claim:

1. An agitator for a clothes washing machine,

, comprising a base, a supporting standard carried thereby and vertically-disposed thereon, a

plurality of vanes arranged in radial relation toV `said standard, the

greatest radial dimension of said vanes being greater than the greatest radial dimension of the base and located at a point above the` medial point between the upper and lower extremities of said supporting standard, and a plurality of supplemental vanes also arranged in radial relation to said standard and located in superimposed.l relation with and merg-Y ing into the first mentioned vanes.;

2. An agitator for a clothes washing machine,

comprising a base, a supporting standard carried thereby and vertically-disposed. thereon, a plu'- vanes being greater than becoming entangled with rality of vanes arranged in radial relation to said standard, the greatest radial `dimension of said the greatest radial dimension of the base and located at a point above the medial point between the upper and lower extremities of said supporting standard, and a plurality of supplemental va'nes also arranged in radial relation to said standard land located in superimposed relationwith and merging into the first-mentioned vanes and in vertical alignment therewith.

3. agitator for a clothes washing machine,- comprising a` base, a supporting standard carried thereby and vertically-disposed thereon, a plurality of vanes arranged in -radial relation to said standard, the greatest radial dimension of said vanes being greater than the greatest radial dimension of the base and located at a point above the medial point between the upper and lower extremities of said supporting standard, and a .plurality of supplemental vanes also arranged in radial relation to said standard and located in superimposed relation with and merging into the inst-mentioned vanes, the greatest radial dimension of the supplemental vanes being less than the greatest radial dimension of the rst-mentioned vanes.

4. An agitator for a clothes washing machine, comprising a base, a supporting standard. carried thereby and vertically-disposed thereon, a plurality of vanes arranged in radial relation to said standard, and a plurality of supplemental vanes' also larranged in radial relation to said standard 

